BILLERICA — Efforts to set up adult-use marijuana shops in town are getting competitive.

Three adult-use marijuana companies presented their proposals during community outreach meetings Wednesday night. Billerica’s zoning allows for a maximum of two retail shops, meaning that of the three companies that presented, at most two can move forward.

The three companies — Community Care Collective, BB Botanics and Pure Industries — each have agreements for locations on Republic Road within the town’s adult-use marijuana zone. The zone also includes Esquire and Sterling roads.

Wednesday’s meeting was one of the first steps in a lengthy process to permitting and operation.

Before submitting an application to the state, the companies must obtain host community agreements. The town has not negotiated agreements with any of the companies yet, but can choose to do so with none of…